GAVIN

"Three days ago, I met this guy and he is just so fucking perfect. When he talks, all I do is listen and smile because his voice is soothing. He is so sweet." Shirley explained, a dreamy semblance taking over her face.

The only time she was ever this dreamy was when she had thought Santa was real. She had expressed her dreams about flying to the north-pole with him on his reindeers where she would live with him forever.

Her love and belief in Santa was extinguished when she had found out that Santa was in fact just a guy dressed in a costume who neither travelled on reindeers nor habited the north-pole. Since making that very disappointing discovery, Christmas became her least favorite holiday.

"Shirl, that's amazing. What's his name?" Roman inquired while flipping the pancakes. He was making breakfast. They were staying at my place for the weekend.

"Nathan. He goes to Wood Ridge High." At the mention of Wood Ridge High, Coach Brinski's words reechoed in my mind. A tournament between our school and Wood Ridge was to take place in a couple of weeks. They have quite a reputation in the court but we'll be ready for them when the time comes.

"He invited me to a party at his place tonight. He said his friends will also be there. They are really cool. You guys should come too. It's going to be so much fun." Shirley scooped a spoonful of oat meal and shoved it in her mouth while scrolling through her phone.

"Do you really trust this guy? I mean you just met him." I raised a concern.

"Yes. I trust him because what's there not to trust about him? He is kind, a gentleman, sweet and funny. I know you will like him too. All I ask is for you to at least get to know him and see what I see in him." She sent a request my way.

"Fine. I'll get to know him." I mouthed.

"Thank you." She said, adding more milk and cereal to her bowl. Suddenly, her iPhone started ringing. A gleeful smile lit up her face as soon as she discerned the caller.

"Excuse me guys, gotta take this." She made her exit.

"She really is into this Nathan guy, huh." Roman commented while serving the golden brown pan cakes on a dish. "Syrup?" He directed the question at me.

"Nope. Just some whipped cream." I delivered a reply.

"You don't like whipped cream, especially on pancakes." He quirked a brow at me.

"That was before I knew how delicious the combination is." I blurted.

"Really? I remember you almost vomited when you saw some guy on TV having that exact combination. I'm curious as to why you suddenly find it delicious?" He poked around like some detective.

"Fine. The reason for my sudden change in attitude towards whipped cream is my boyfriend. He made me these super delicious Mexican pancakes and topped them with whipped cream. It was orgasmic." I revealed, a smile clinging to my lips as I recalled briefly how heavenly Carlito's pancakes tasted.

"Nice. I see your man is treating you right." He affirmed, passing me my plate of pancakes, topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with blue berries.

"He is. I didn't think anyone would make me feel loved and cared for the way he does. Whenever I am with him, I feel happy. I want nothing else. I am in love with him and it's the best feeling." I opened up, toying with my fork.

"I am so happy for you, Miles. I never thought that a day would come when my best friend would actually fall for someone. This is the best thing that has happened this whole year." Roman admitted.

"Thank you, Rom." I took a sip of my coffee which was getting colder with each second.

"How's your song writing coming along? Written any hot music yet?" I inquired, murdering the silence that had floated between us.

"Not really. Since Vee broke up with me, I have lost my inspiration. Haven't been able to write any good songs." He opened up, melancholy dimming his eyes.

"I'm sorry." I reached out for his hand which was on top of the marble counter and engulfed it with mine then gave it a comforting squeeze.

"She was my muse. Every time I looked at her, a verse automatically came to mind. There was this one time after we had made love, that I composed a song right there on the bed. She was so happy. I can never forget that smile on her face while I was singing to her. Most of the songs I have written are love songs about her and now that we are not together, I don't know what to write." A look of despair had settled on his face.

"Rom, you started composing songs when you were four. Music existed inside you way before then. It's always been a part of you. One thing I have always loved and admired about you is the ability to channel your emotions through your songs. You capture that so well each time. Right now you are going through betrayal and heartbreak, use that to write a song. This time, the song should be about you and your pain." I advised.

"Thanks man. This could actually work. I already have a few ideas rolling in." He was back to his usual happy self. Nothing makes me happier than bringing a smile to my friend's face.

Shirley waltzed into the room, excitement oozing from her, like a five year old who has won a lottery to chocolate factory.

"Guess who I was with just on the phone with a while ago?"

"The man of your dreams." I stated.

"The Romeo to your Juliet." Rom added.

"Yes. And he was telling me all these things he feels about me. I think my heart melted out of my chest. Is this how falling in love feels like?" She dramatically placed her hand on her chest. She really should audition for the school play. She's gonna nail it.

"Or it could be a heart condition. Just saying." I teased earning a chuckle from Roman.

"A heart condition called love. You know what, I will make a sculpture of him. Should I go with Gold? Bronze? Or Silver? I think gold is perfect! I am so excited to see him tonight at his party." She was literally shrieking at this point. Roman and I just sat there watching her talk our ears off about this Nathan guy.

"I talked to him and asked if you guys could come but he said it's an intimate party. Only selected few are invited. I'm sorry guys." She added then cleared her bowl.

"Selected few? How many exactly?" I inquired.

"No idea. Guess I'll find out when I get there. In the mean-time, I have to go to the spa and shop for an outfit with my girlfriends. I'll see you guys later." She planted a peck on Roman's temple and mine then left.

"You don't find anything about that party to be remotely suspicious?" I directed the question at him.

"Every high school party out there is suspicious. This one isn't any different." Rom rejoined.

"I don't like it that she's going there by herself. It could be dangerous."

"Shirl can handle herself. Did you forget that one time she punched a drunk guy on the throat for groping her?" He took me down the memory lane.

"Yeah. Then she kicked him in the balls. Her beating up the guy started a party fight. It was messy." I recollected with a smile.

"Still think Shirl needs a chaperone?"

"Not anymore." I mouthed. Roman cleared the dirty dishes from the counter and arranging them in the dish washer. He loved doing dishes, a task that I completely disliked. Suddenly my phone buzzed. I had received a text from an unknown number.

I need your help. Meet me at the cemetery.

This isn't creepy at all. Some strange person randomly texting me to meet them at a cemetery.

Who are you? I sent the creep a text. Should have blocked his number immediately but I was curious to know some things about him.

It's Natasha. Your very loyal nemesis. Remember me? It was her. I should have known. Now I'm curious as to why Natasha is asking for my help. Also, why does she want to meet me in the cemetery?

Are you coming? She sent another text.

Why? So that you can bury me in one of those old abandoned graves? I shot her a text.

If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't need to lure you to a cemetery. Cyanide is all I need to slip in that capucchino you love drinking so much. Not that I haven't thought of doing that on so many occasions. That text was not creepy at all. It was extremely reassuring.

Look Gavin, If I didn't need your help then I wouldn't have texted. But this is extremely urgent and sad as it may be, you are the only person I trust right now. So can you get your ass here in 20? She sent another text.

Fine. But I'm coming in armed in case you try anything. I replied to her text.

If it makes you feel safer, carry the whole damn armory with you. Was her reply.

"Rom, I'll be going out for a bit. Do you need me to get you anything on my way back?" I announced, getting up from the long legged kitchen stool I had been perched on for hours. My ass cheeks felt sore somehow.

"No. Thank you." Was his response as he arranged the clean dishes while humming to some beautiful tune. Probably a new song he was composing.

***

A/N

Happy new year loves. How have you been? How's your new year coming along so far?

Mine started off bad. Was feeling really sick and I'm glad that I recovered. This is the first chapter I have managed to write and post in 2023. This year is going to bring good things, I can feel it in my bones.

Anyway how was the chapter? Why do you think Natty wants to meet up with Gav at the cemetery of all places? And this Nathan guy, what's his deal? Read on to find out.

Thank you for sticking around this far. I cannot stop expressing how happy and blessed your presence in this book makes me feel.